CONWAY, SC (WBTW)- J. Reuben Long Detention Center has seen three inmate deaths in the last six months. The jail said they typically have only one or two deaths each year.
One death was from an apparent suicide, one natural causes, and another from drugs. News 13 looked into what jail staff does to handle incoming inmates’ conditions.
There is a medical nurse assigned to booking 24/7, and jail staff said it’s critical that inmates tell them if they’ve taken something.
In March, Christopher Bennett was arrested and charged with possession of heroin. According to a SLED report, he swallowed two plastic baggies with drugs in them while being taken to J. Reuben Long detention center. He began having seizures and was found unresponsive in his cell, and later died at the hospital. Captain Susan Safford said when people get booked they don’t want to divulge if they’ve taken anything for fear they’ll get more charges.
“That’s not what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to provide proper medical care to them,” said Capt. Safford.
Captain Susan Safford said if they suspect an inmate is under the influence they will check their vitals and check on them every 15 minutes, and if an inmate is withdrawing medical staff will check on them every couple of hours and ask basic questions.
“Do you know where you are? And if they can’t answer those questions, but were able to earlier that’s a sign they are deteriorating,” said Capt. Safford.
Jail officials said due to the opioid epidemic over the last three years, more inmates have to be sent to the hospital. An estimated five to 10 inmates go to the hospital a week.
Right now, J. Reuben Long is 19 security officers short, but that’s only until their training is done.
If those officers find someone unresponsive, they immediately call a nurse and are able to assist until one arrives.
“Trained in CPR to try to do everything they can to save the person regardless of what the situation is,” said Capt. Safford.
The facility spent $2.3 million on medical care last year, and the jail said when there is an inmate death they can undergo a debriefing with a counselor.
